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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"